Inside Off White designer Virgil Abloh’s beef with Kanye West after pair feuded over ‘creative direction’ of Yeezy brand
OFF White designer Virgil Abloh and rapper Kanye West feuded over the "creative direction" of the Yeezy brand before the fashion star's death on Sunday aged 41.
The duo ended their feud in 2018, and it's reported that West was one of only a handful of people to know about the designer's secret illness.
Both Chicago natives, Abloh and West met in 2009 at a Chicago print shop before going on to intern for Fendi, according to .
The two began working together collaboratively in 2010 when Abloh joined West's creative agency, Donda.
Abloh and West collaborated on the 2011 album Watch the Throne, by Jay-Z and West, with Abloh serving as the art director.
He would receive a Grammy nomination for his role.
Then, in 2018, amidst further endeavors with West, Abloh was named the artistic director of Louis Vuitton's menswear collections.
That's when the feud reportedly began.
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Shortly after Abloh joined Louis Vuitton, West made some public jabs.
Abloh is listed in multiple outlets as the creative director of Donda, but West went on the record to clarify.
Read our Virgil Abloh live blog for the very latest news and updates...
"But when they say he was my creative director, that’s incorrect. He was a creative collaborator," West said in an interview with in early 2018.
Also in the interview, he said: "I had been dealing with a very heavy concept this week that I couldn’t get out of my head."
"It’s not bad or good, it’s my creative collaborator being the head of Louis Vuitton.
"Because [Abloh and I] have been fighting to make apparel at a certain price that still has the same credibility and desirability as something at a higher price."
The feud was even referenced on some of West's songs, reports.
The two ended their feud later in 2018 and were photographed at the Paris Louis show.
Abloh "gone too soon"
News of the designer's death spread across social media on Sunday, with the initial announcement post on Abloh's Instagram account garnering millions of likes and comments.
"We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend," the caption starts.
"He is survived by his loving wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and numerous dear friends and colleagues.
"For over two years, Virgil valiantly battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma.
"He chose to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture."
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Tributes continue to pour in from celebrities and fellow designers around the world.
Victoria Beckham, Gigi Hadid, Marc Jacobs, Drake, and more have shared their thoughts and condolences.
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